Everyone should know how to fix a flat tire. If you have an inflated spare, pop that on. If you don’t, you MIGHT be able to patch the tire on the side of the road, or even fill it with ‘fix a flat’-style goo until you can get a proper repair. To do that, you need the right tools in your car.
To fix a flat on the road, or once you get home
Keep a tire patch kit like this one for fixing nail holes in the tread (but NOT for the sidewall) of your tires. Choose the appropriate size kit for your tire.
Also keep a spray can that you can fill your tire with, and then re-inflate it, to get home in case you’re not prepared or able to fix the flat where you are.
Be able to re-inflate your tire on the go
I keep a hand bicycle pump to top off my tires, although I’ve found a foot-powered one takes less work. An electric one is even easier, and doesn’t require any physical exertion… Keep both in your vehicle if you’re worried about the battery life of the electric one.
A pump in the car solves the common problem of your spare being flat when you finally need to use it.
Have a tire pressure gauge. The cheapo ‘pencil’ gauges work fine. Throw one into each of your vehicles. Read your car’s owner manual for the appropriate pressure to fill to (usually between 30 – 34 PSI.)
Make sure your tire wrench & jack is in the car
Most cars come with a spare tire & jack + wrench to jack up the car, remove the lug nuts on the flat, remove the tire, and fasten on the spare/fixed tire. Double-check this kit–usually in the trunk of your car– and make sure it works fine. Practice changing your tire if you’ve never done it before. Keep a pair of wool or synthetic gloves in the car for cold conditions.
Have roadside assistance
In addition to the above, get roadside assistance through your auto-insurer, AAA, or (in my case) through your cell phone provider. This will cover towing in situations where fixing a flat tire isn’t enough to get you on the road again.
